10 Things You Need to Know About Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

10 Things You Need to Know Before Watching Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them

If you've followed the buzz surrounding Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, you're well aware the new movie is part of the enormously popular Harry Potter universe. While you needn't be a Hogwarts graduate to know there's a connection though, you could be forgiven for not understanding exactly how, why, or where the film fits into creator J.K. Rowling's larger wizarding world.

On top of magical monsters, the flick features enough fantasy-fueled fun to satisfy any fan of the witchcraft and wizardry genre. Still, possessing a bit of Potter knowledge before ordering your movie tickets should further your enjoyment of this fresh spin on the familiar franchise.

Whether you're a seasoned magic-caster craving a quick recap or just a wizard-wannabe yet to be schooled in the Potterverse, fans of all stripes should find the following Fantastic Beasts' facts as enlightening as a Lumos spell.

Potter Pedigree

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You needn't look further than Fantastic Beasts' IMDB page to discover the film is as legit as the scar on Harry's head. In addition to being penned by none other than prolific Potter author J.K. Rowling, the movie is directed by series' veteran David Yates, who's helmed no less than four previous Harry Potter films.

Based on a Book...Sort of

Fantastic Beasts shares the same name as a book written by Rowling in 2001. Credited to Newt Scamander—the film's creature-cataloging protagonist—the tome is actually a Hogwart's text book used by Potter and his pals during their earliest years at the wizarding school. As the fiction goes, Scamander penned the book on magical beasts in 1927, following his exploits in the film.

Revered Beast Wrangler

Scamander attended Hogwarts, but was expelled due to a dangerous incident involving, of course, a magical monster. Despite being booted from the esteemed school, the former House Hufflepuff student was highly respected by Albus Dumbledore. The “Magizoologist” also has his own Chocolate Frog Card, which describes him as the “world authority on magical creatures.”

Prequel, Sequel, or Spin-off

Fantastic Beasts' spellbinding tale unfolds in 1926, nearly 70 years before young Harry's Muggle existence receives a magical makeover. While this obviously makes the new film a prequel, it's much more of a spin-off, as it doesn't feature familiar characters, settings, or story beats, but rather focuses on Newt Scamander's beast-chasing adventures.

No Mere Side-story

While basing an entire film on a faux text book might sound like a desperate attempt to continue milking the lucrative Potter franchise, Fantastic Beasts is anything but a one-off cash-grab. With four sequels already planned, Scamander's adventures don't represent a minor narrative detour within the wizarding world, but a massive universe-expanding story worthy of its own franchise.

Across the Pond

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Fantastic Beasts relocates the spell-casting fun from Great Britain to the Big Apple, finally pulling back the curtain on America's secret magical society. In addition to seeing baffled stateside Muggles—dubbed “No-Maj” in the film—hilariously deal with otherworldly creatures, fans should enjoy watching wizard shenanigans unfold in iconic locales, like a roaring twenties take on Times Square.

Timely Tale

When the movie's titular monsters run rampant in New York City, a conflict erupts between the wizarding world and a society who wouldn't know a magic wand if it whacked them on the backside. The No-Majs' fear and potential persecution of the spell-casting community mirrors the xenophobia cropping up in contemporary society... but balances it with a welcome sprinkle of magic-fueled escapism.

Familiar Foe (Spoiler Alert)

While fans won't see Harry, Hermione, or Ron wielding their wands in Fantastic Beasts, at least one familiar, albeit not-so-friendly, face appears in the film. Dark Wizard and former friend of Dumbledore, Gellert Grindewald plays a small, but key role that promises to become more prominent in the new franchise's future installments.

Character Connections

Given Dumbledore's history with Grindelwald, we expect to see the wizard's power and white beard take shape over future Fantastic Beasts chapters. But it's a subtler reference -- to a character mysteriously named Leta Lestrange -- that has us wondering how this former friend of Scamander might be related to wicked witch Bellatrix Lestrange.

More Muggles

Muggles have generally taken a back seat to all the Potterverse's thrilling Quidditch matches and Voldemort-thwarting action, but Fantastic Beasts remedies this by teaming Scamander with a No-Maj side-kick named Jacob. On top of helping catch the mythical monsters and providing plenty of comic relief, the character offers a rare, deeper Muggle perspective on enchanted experiences.